The ongoing delays with the payments to young farmers is causing severe pressure for many young farmers, according to Macra na Feirme.

Following recent contact from distressed young farmers, Sean Finan, Macra National President, has sought a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.

Macra wants to address the ongoing delays in CAP payment to young farmers and convey the anger and frustration of these farmers across the country.

These farmers were depending on payments in December last but have not yet received anything, Macra has stated.

Macra has been told that these young farmers are having difficulty in communicating with the Department of Agriculture to gain an understanding of the cause of the delays.

Macra is now seeking to quickly resolve these delays.

Also of serious concern, to some young farmers who are farming in partnership, is the delay in payment of the Basic Payment Scheme.

“The additional issue of young farmers in family partnerships who have not been recognised by CAP 2007-2013 and CAP 2015-2020 remains unresolved and must be addressed by Minister Coveney,” he said.

Finan said that Macra is also seeking clarification on delays to payments due to young farmers who recently commenced their agricultural education.

“We are also looking for an update on payments due to young farmers relating to Basic Payment Scheme top-ups and national reserve,” the Macra President said.

The purpose of the requested meeting is to gain a full understanding of the issues behind these delays and to try to expedite matters so that Macra can communicate with young farmers and assist them in dealing with this situation.